Flathead County: good news in the latest data.

• Author: Polzin, Paul E.
• Position: Statistical data

The most recent federal data report accelerating growth in the Flathead economy. After a crippling decline during the Great Recession, the Flathead County economy posted an increase of 2.4 percent in 2011, about 3 percent in 2012, and a stunning 4.2 percent in 2013. The most recent figures suggest this rapid growth may have moderated in 2014.

The construction industry looks like it is on the mend. The Great Recession was particularly hard on Flathead construction, with its heavy reliance on second home and recreational building. But it posted two solid years of growth in 2012 and 2013, and the 2013 figure was double digits. It is especially noteworthy that Flathead County is one of the very few areas in the state where building construction has led the way. In addition, the number of home sales (but not prices) is approaching prerecession levels.

Manufacturing is strong. The high-tech sector suffered only a slight hiccup during the recession year 2008. The wood products industry is slowly recovering as the U. S. economy grows, but it is nowhere near its levels of a decade ago. And there is a new industry on the block: small arms and ammunition manufacturing. It has added almost 300 workers during the last three years.

Kalispell continues to evolve into a regional center. There has been significant growth in financial activities and other business services which serve the entire region. Flealth care continues strong. There is some evidence that Canadians are crossing the border for elective procedures.

Nonresident travel is now the largest basic industry in the Flathead economy, although there are three or four other industries that are close behind.

The forecasts are for growth to average about 3 percent per year from 2015 to 2018. These projections incorporate continued growth in nonresident...